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MG B roadster to be revived

A new-age, fully-electric MG roadster is being "dreamed up" by the chief designer of the famed brand, who plans to present a concept for approval within the next few years.

Speaking to Australian media during a preview of the stunning MG E-Motion concept car revealed today at the Shanghai motor show, the car's chief designer, Shao Jingfeng, said it was "very important" that the company had a legitimate sports car among its lineup.

"This is my desire. I would love to have this type of car for MG again," he said.

"We have made symbols for the family [with cars such as the GS and ZS SUVs] and in the future we need to have a symbol for ourselves," he added, thumping his chest to signify new-found pride in personal status.

Jingfeng admitted the skateboard-style platform that sits underneath the E-Motion is scalable enough to downsize and create the basis for an electric-powered convertible with similar 'fun-to-drive' characteristics of the Mazda MX-5, the world's most popular convertible and a car that ultimately took inspiration from lightweight British roadsters such as the MG B and MG Midget.

He conceded that a smaller battery pack may be required to keep weight down, which may compromise its range between charges, but said it would be suitable for sports cars are generally driven shorter distances and less often than conventional passenger cars.

Curiously, he likened his desire to create such a car, and the current strength of the MG brand to make it a reality, with the kind of increasing confidence young Shanghai women have and how they dress.

"It is the same with how girls wear a dress in downtown Shanghai. Five years ago they were down to here," he said, pointing below the knee.

"And now they are up here (indicating a very skimpy length of skirt). Chinese people are more confident now, and so is MG. This is why we should make this type of car - as a symbol for ourselves.